Demand for Blue Fin Increases While Supply Fades to Black

In a recent article “complacent” media was blamed for the lack of concern in Japan over the disappearing blue fin tuna. Apparently the Japanese public does not know that their consumption of blue fin is a major contributor to the species decline. Thus, in an effort to reach the people of Japan, one of the most educated and enduring cultures on the planet, I, a member of the media, am writing to say:

Many US and European sushi restaurants have already removed Blue Fin from the menu, in part because of pressure from the people.

The same blue fin black out is not happening in Japanese sushi restaurants.

Reason for media silence in Japan is obvious- blue fin is big business. A single adult blue fin can sell for $22,000 in Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market. Fish dealers in the market see that the number of blue fin for sale has fallen in the last two decades, but are doubtful the supply will ever dry up.

But it will dry up. Blue fin is disappearing and who knows what catastrophic results losing a major predator will have on the world’s oceans.

Personally, if I sit down from someone in a restaurant and they order blue fin, I:

a) Make a very negative assumption about their education level.

b) Quickly space out, because nothing the person says is going to be relevant if they don’t know basic scientific studies.

c) Start looking for the quickest exit.

The Japanese are a relevant, amazing people, AND I’M SURE they will start putting pressure on restaurants and groceries immediately to remove blue fin from the supply.